Comparison of upper arm and forearm blood pressure.
The upper arm is the primary site used to obtain a blood pressure measurement (BPM); however, when it is not possible to use the upper arm, the forearm is a commonly used alternate site. This study determines if there is a significant difference between upper arm and forearm BPMs among adults and examines the relationship of participant characteristics to the BPM difference. A convenience sample was recruited from a low-income, independent-living, 104-apartment complex in the Midwest. Of the 106 participants, 64% were female and 89% were White. Ages ranged from 20 to 85 years (M = 50.7). The investigators calculated the BMIs (range = 18 to 42, M = 29.3, SD = 5.4) for the 89% (n = 94) of participants who reported their weight. The forearm tended to have higher BPMs than the upper arm (M difference = 4.0 mm Hg systolic, 2.3 mm Hg diastolic). However, site differences were greatest for men, obese adults, and middle aged (36 to 65) adults.
Domiano
Kathy L
KL
Missouri State University, Springfield, MO, USA.
Hinck
Susan M
SM
Savinske
Debra L
DL
Hope
Kathryn L
KL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001132:Arm / Q000502:physiology*; D001795:Blood Pressure Determination / Q000379:methods*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003971:Diastole / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005542:Forearm / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000503:physiopathology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013599:Systole / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult